OUR SAY: Council found wanting

MAYOR Mark Jamieson showed considerable leadership during the recent local government election campaign in supporting the proposal for a Refugee Welcome Zone on the Sunshine Coast.

That was particularly so because of the existence in this community of groups who campaigned forcefully against a mosque in Maroochydore and who used the election season to promote the nonsense that Australian communities were at risk of being taken over by sharia law.

It is disappointing in that context the council has now decided the Sunshine Coast is already a welcoming and inclusive community and therefore does not need the Refugee Council of Australia-sanctioned designation.

The Buddies Refugee Support Group since the early 2000s has provided a national example of the compassion for those less fortunate in the face of a seemingly growing xenophobia evident on social media and in ugly rallies in Maroochydore.

More than 100 local authorities across Australia have signed up to Refugee Welcome Zone designations and while for some of those the move may be largely symbolic, here it in part provided an opportunity to acknowledge the wonderful work done by the Buderim-born Buddies organisation.

At a time when a real fracturing is occurring in communities across Australia Sunshine Coast Council has missed an opportunity to show real leadership.